Coronavirus (Covid 19) – Update

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While COVID has not gone away and the World Health Organisation still places it at pandemic level case shave declined to their lowest level in the UK since the pandemic began and the rate of infection has declined significantly.

Because of this the Barnet UNISON office has opened, however because of  individual officers’ and staff members’ own health and work situation  there may not always be someone in the office. Before visiting the office please email

 contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Or you can call 020 8359 2088, if we are unable to answer the telephone please leave a message speaking slowly and clearly please include your name, telephone number, membership number and a brief message about the assistance you require. We will respond as soon as we can.

Alternatively you can contact UNISON Direct Call Centre by telephone 

08000 857 857 Monday – Friday 6am – Midnight, Saturday 9am – 4pm

or make an online enquiry by clicking the following link

https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/online-enquiries/

To Join UNISON click the following link 

https://join.unison.org.uk/

89% of Barnet UNISON members vote to Reject National Pay offer

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, National, News, Solidarity, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON members were recently balloted on the National Pay offer as part of UNISON’s national consultation on pay for Council and School support staff.

Barnet UNISON reps had taken the decision to recommend that our members should reject the offer.

The response from our members has been dramatic and reflects the grassroots organisational strength of Barnet UNISON.

The results confirm that our members did listen to their rep’s view on the National Pay offer and voted overwhelmingly to reject the offer.

Barnet UNISON delivered a 55% turnout of members voting across our members working for Barnet Council and Barnet Schools.

We are pleased to report the following turnouts across some sections of our membership:

  1. 92% of Waste & Recycling members voted
  2. 71% Street cleaning members voted
  3. 80% Highways members voted
  4. 70% Grounds Maintenance members voted
  5. 64% Passenger Transport members voted
  6. 78% Workshop members voted
  7. 68% Library members voted
  8. 67% of Adult Social care members voted
  9. 50% Commissioning members voted
  10. 50% of school staff members voted
  11. 67% BELS members voted
  12. 66% in Early Help Family Services voted

The message from Barnet UNISON members that they recognise the need for a National Pay Award which delivers a Pay Rise not a Pay Cut.

Barnet UNISON produced the largest number of REJECT votes of any UNISON branch in London.

Our results have been sent on to UNISON where all the votes across UNISON will be counted.

Please note Unite and GMB National Pay ballots are still live until into the middle of October.

 

Barnet UNISON will report back to our members once all three trade unions have decided what action needs to be taken.

In the meantime, Barnet UNISON is already in Pay & Grading negotiations which will have an impact on all our members working for the London Borough of Barnet. We will be providing updates on negotiations in due course.

Any questions or queries please leave a message on our voicemail on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

End.

Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Health and Safety, Repairs, Report, Solidarity, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

20 September 2022.

What is this dispute about?

In one word it’s quite simple…………“Solidarity”

One of our members a Barnet Council Housing Repairs worker was injured at work.

His employer Barnet Homes, an organisation 100% owned by Barnet Council refused to provide sick pay.

Barnet UNISON tried to persuade the employer to reconsider but the employer refuses to change their position.

Our members were upset at the treatment of their fellow worker and in solidarity demanded to be balloted. All of our manual workers were clear that it was a matter of principle. Any of them could be injured at work. They understand the terror of trying to survive in the worst cost of living crisis in 75 years on low pay. They don’t understand why their employer is deliberately taking an aggressive attack on their work colleague. All of these workers worked throughout Covid and at one time were clapped as key workers.

The other back story is that our member who was injured is a Kosovo refugee. Very few people will understand what he has endured in his journey from Kosovo to London.

All we are asking is for the employer to pay his sick pay for the time period he was denied pay.

There have been many attempts by Barnet UNISON to reach out to Barnet Homes to try to avoid this dispute. Barnet UNISON had negotiated a new contract for these workers, with sick pay. To try to avert this dispute Barnet UNISON asked Barnet Homes to bring the contract forward by 3 weeks to cover our member when he was injured. This proposal was rejected.

We cannot understand why Barnet Homes prefers to engage in a battle about an amount of money which is almost insignificant to Barnet Homes but means all the world to this one member of staff. Our members would much rather be working for Barnet residents and providing a vital service, but the work they do cannot be at the expense of one of their colleagues being mistreated.

Barnet UNISON has approached Barnet Council and Barnet Labour Party on several occasions over the past four months to try to resolve this dispute.

The results of our strike ballot are as follows:

  • 100% turnout
  • 100% vote for strike action.

Our members have voted for all-out strike action. This means they are going out and staying out. This is not a 3 day strike then back to work.

Our members are angry and determined.

“Dear Helen and Branch members

Congratulations! What a fantastic result and fantastic show of solidarity to your comrade. ‘Workers united we will not be defeated’

I send a message of solidarity to your branch and members who have decided that they will not leave anyone behind, the strongest and greatest position any workforce can show!!

When you have the dates let me know and I will make every effort to attend your picket line.” (Andrea Egan UNISON President)

Details of when the strike action will start will be published in due course.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

Background:

  1. Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/25/breaking-news-official-strike-ballot-begins-for-barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers/

  1. Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/05/barnet-responsive-repairs-workers-referred-to-unisons-industrial-action-committee/

  1. Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/21/barnet-council-repairs-operatives-100-turnout-and-100-vote-for-strike-action/

4. Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/barnet-councils-company-refuse-to-show-compassion-for-injured-worker/

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